As a startled Adam tried to comprehend what his former step-dad had told him, Cain reminded him that he was seen running after Emma with a gun in the woods.

Insisting that he wasn't the one who committed the crime, Adam declared: "I was never going to hurt her. She had just killed her son and ex husband and she could have done the same to mum and the baby."

Emmerdale spoilers: storylines from the upcoming week on the ITV soap

Emmerdale spoilers: storylines from the upcoming week on the ITV soap

Aaron avoids awkward questions about his love life from Chas – but is forced to face them when Alex turns up unannounced
[ITV]

Emmerdale continues on ITV this week – click here to see all the upcoming spoilers in pictures

Refusing to go easy on him, Cain pointed out that his innocence could be easily twisted when he declared: "That’s him right there, the bloke that could have done so did you? Prove it can you?

"The police are going to be asking you far worse questions. Where were you after I saw you at the farm?"

Emmerdale: Adam Thomas' exit storyline revealed?: Emmerdale fans speculated that Adam could be set up for Emma's murder [ITV]

As Adam contemplated Cain's words, he expressed his concern about being set up when he told his mum: "I didn’t do it mum. I went after her with the gun mum. I’ve got form. They know I tried to burn Cain to death and I served time for it. What if they put me in the frame for this? I’ve got no way of proving them wrong."

Viewers were quick to point out that the twist about Emma's murder could spark the start of Adam's exit from the soap.